Defined by excellence. Supported by tradition. WINTER 2019

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Faithful FOUNDERS set an example for all

t crucial times in the district’s history, our schools benefited from the A selfless acts of residents with vision. When others doubted the possible, BOARD OF TRUSTEES these individuals instead leaped into the future. And we collectively have PRESIDENT benefited for nearly 100 years. Examples abound, such as inSeptember 1925 when residents formed and opened our first school, November 1930 when our George Lathrop first building (the oldest section of today’s elementary school) was dedicated, SECRETARY or September 1939 when the high school opened. Each milestone required Dee Talmage leaders to pledge financially and emotionally. TREASURER Now, add to that list of leaders the members of the Ottawa Hills Local Schools’ Founders’ Society. They opened their hearts and wallets in 2013 – well before Scott Estes the idea of a school-focused foundation was considered possible. Their EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR combined contributions made the “Founders’ Society Campaign” a success. More than 120 people pledged over $620,000. Erica (Gatchel) Silk (‘89) BOARD OF TRUSTEES These cherished supporters are publicly acknowledged on the Founders’ Society Wall, unveiled in May 2016 inside the high school lobby. Without their Jackie (Hylant) Berenzweig (‘93) support, we would not have embarked on the follow-up “March to a Million” R. L. Berry (‘76) campaign. Without their trust and example, we would not have launched the Paul Bishop Foundation to make it easier to financially support the district’s mission. Maara Fink Brad Johnson Six years later, the Founders’ Society Wall is proof that our schools remain a Kevin Miller treasured asset in our community. Thank you again to the newest generation Phillip Mintun of leaders who exhibited incredible faith in Ottawa Hills Local Schools by being Jeremy Nixon among the very first contributors to the Ottawa Hills Schools Foundation. Judd Silverman (‘74) Mark Wagoner (‘90) Andrew Westmeyer (‘87)

The mission of the Ottawa Hills Schools Foundation is to permanently enhance and extend the unique experience of excellence that defines George Lathrop Erica (Gatchel) Silk (‘89) Ottawa Hills Local Schools. President Director of Development Ottawa Hills Schools Foundation and Alumni Relations SUPPORTING THE OHS FOUNDATION IS EASY!

Visit the Foundation’s website at ohschoolsfoundation.org Correction: An Annual Campaign gift acknowledgement in the Fall 2018 to contribute online or use issue incorrectly identified a gift from Ron & Paula Creed. It was made in the attached giving envelope. memory of Judith Baron LaValle ’65. We are sorry for the error. 2 TODD SEIFRIED (’85) AND DEE AND DR. LANCE TALMAGE CEREMONIOUSLY PULL BACK THE CURTAIN TO OFFICIALLY UNVEIL THE FOUNDERS’ SOCIETY WALL. Founders’ Society THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FUTURE Three years after the seed was planted, the idea for a new source of support for our schools bore fruit with the creation of the “Founders’ Society Wall.” he Wall publicly acknowledges those individuals whose expression of faith in the district paved the Tway for the Ottawa Hills Schools Foundation. The May 24, 2016, dedication honored current and former residents, as well as many other supporters. Next time you are in the junior/senior high school, view the plaque inside the building’s lobby. (A similar plaque also hangs inside the elementary school.)

FOUNDERS’ SOCIETY

VALEDICTORIAN – $100,000 and above Hafemann, Noreen Hanlon, Judy Haudan, Kevin Gilmore Dr. Lance and Mrs. Dee Talmage Tim Hood, Lauren Hurst, Kate Hunyor, Dr. Sunny Gupta (’01) and Family Melissa Jankowski, Kristin Johnson, Rita Becky and Tom Hauck SUMMA CUM LAUDE – $50,000 and above Johnston, Laurie Keating, Joan Keckler, The Hupp Family The Hylant Family Foundation: Jordan Kielty, James Kinkaid, Teresa Steve and Neerja Jindal Pat and Ann (’67) Hylant, Sandra Hylant Leinweber, Karen Mayfield, Tom McCarthy, Julie and Tod Kowalczyk (’74), Jeannie Hylant (’75), Mike (’78) and Rebecca McLean, Ingrid Mendez, Sean Anne (’59) and Bill Lathrop Tina Hylant, Richard and Clare (’80) Hylant, Mercer, Sally Morel, Greg Neuendorf, John and Hilary Lindsay The Berenzweig Family (Jackie ’93) Jeremy Nixon, Mark Nusbaum, Heidi John (’72) and Delia Longthorne MAGNA CUM LAUDE – $25,000 and above O’Connor, Angela Parker, Jenny Powers, Elizabeth Souder Louis (’80) The Estes Family Kristin Prevette, Sarah Puffenberger, Karen Joe (’93) and Courtney (’93) Magliochetti Troy and Wendy Greeley Schoenberger, Carole Sendi, Erica Silk Matthew and Sally McQueen Judy McCracken and Family (’89), Nicolle Smith, Brooks Spiess, Donnie Dr. Kevin and Mrs. Carla Miller David Roadhouse (’62) Stevens, Kristie Stevens, Rose Stevens, The Mitchell Family: Jenny and Todd (’85) Seifried Jessica Temple, Susan Wilson, Donna Steve and Jenny (’86), Robie (’13), The Swigart Family: Wipfli, Amy Wolff (’83) Becca (’15), and Maggie (’18) Mitchell Stephen (’66) and Mickey Swigart, David (’74) and Katherine O’Connell FOUNDERS’ SOCIETY – $5,000 and above District Administrators: John (’96) and Shanie Swigart, R. L. (’76) and Karen Berry Maggie (’99) and Tyson Marlow Bradley Browne, Timothy Erickson, Tracy Annette Levis Boice (’49) & Chris Hertz, Kori Kawczynski, Rosalice DISTINGUISHED HONOR ROLL – $10,000 Tom and Betsy ’64 Brady Manlove, Benjamin S. McMurray, Drs. and above Rick (’79) and Jenny Brunner William D. Miller and Arthur N. Samel, The The Backoff Family: The Buckley Family: Patacca Family, Jackie Patterson Tom and Kate (’77), Brad (’06), Bill and Jean, Mike (’93), Jamie (’96), Mary Ellen Pisanelli, Eleni (’02), and Lia (’07) Jennie (’08), and Leslie (’10) and Kate (’99) Judd (’74) and Lisa Silverman Brad and Allison Johnson Dr. E. Tomas and Yoli Calderon Joe Ochoa and Christi Smith George and Kathy Lathrop Russell L. Carson (’61) Granger (’78) and Kathi Souder Letitia Marth and Paul Bishop Sam Carson, Jr. (’68) The Dan Steinberg (’76) Family The Mintun Family George and Leslie Chapman and Spencer and Christy, Sophia, and Sarah Stone Andy (’87) and Heather Westmeyer and Family Elise Ansberg Casey and Katie (’89) Talbott District Faculty and Staff: Leo T. Clark (’68) Mark (’90) and Merideth Wagoner Sharon Abendroth (’80), Kathy Benecke, The Duran Family – In Memory The Walter Family: Jim, Kim, Keven (’10), Stephen Bobak, Cynthia Bodziak, Julie of Skip and Lee Freeman and Julie (’12) Boesel (’85), Darrin Broadway, Darcy Craig and Amy Findley Peter (’96) and Sofia Westmeyer Browne, Tina Cambal, Wendi Danzeisen, The Geiger Family: Sue and Jim White, Jr. (’58), Jim White III, Christine Dever, Patricia Dowd, Paul James (’79), Mary (’79), Jennifer (’07), and Carey White Gifford (’89) Catherine (’10), and Michael (’13) Genzman, Jennifer Griffin, Mary Kate Bill and Amy (’83) Wolff 3 alumninews

Class of 1953

he Class of 1953 gathered at Ottawa Hills THigh School for a reunion tour in August and continued the celebration all weekend. Among those attending were Barbara Schlatter and Mimi Riddle and Helen and John Williams. BARBARA SCHLATTER HELEN AND JOHN WILLIAMS AND MIMI RIDDLE

Class of 1954

lumni gathered in Sausalito, California, in May to Areminisce about their high school days. They had a wonderful time recalling the Green Arrows and the impact OH had on each of them. They get together every few years to enjoy lifelong friendships that continue to PICTURED HAVING A MEAL WITH THEIR FAVORITE SHIRTS ON ARE KIM run deep today. OH alumnus Larry Mindel (’55) hosted (HIETT) JORDAN, JANET (HAUNSTEIN) BARWIG, MARY (HILL) LIZ KING, the group for a weekend of fun. LARRY MINDEL, SUE (YORK) STEWARD, JOAN (BLACK) DAVIDSON, AND CAROLYN (MINDEL) HERMAN.

Class of 1955

ho celebrates a 62nd or 63rd high school reunion? WThe unconventional OHHS Class of 1955, that’s who. By 2005, these classmates had held only a 20th and 50th reunion. Since then, the alumni have sprung into action and celebrated their 62nd reunion in Orlando in February 2017 and 63rd in Sausalito in June. The 62nd reunion in Florida was so successful that no one wanted PICTURED HAVING DINNER AT POGGIO TRATTORIA ARE TOD ROEMER, the gathering to end. “We looked around at each other DAVE GLOW, BUD MARSHALL, COURT SLAYTON, JOHN HART, LARRY and decided that maybe we should meet every year,” a MINDEL, CHARLES HEYDT, ROA LYNN, BILL WILLIAMS, CHUCK RACINE, candid alumnus commented. AND SPENCER STONE.

Alumni Soccer Game The boys’ soccer team took on alumni at the annual Alumni Soccer game at Niedermeier Stadium in July. Alumni gave the team a run for their money, but today’s students edged out a 3-2 win. Alumni were coached by Francis Stephens. ALUMNI ATTENDING ARE DONOVAN DEMILT, KEVIN HOEFLINGER, EMERSON SAUM, NATE BAIRD, WILLIAM TUNIS, SAM ASSI, JAN DURST, NOAH DEWHIRST, AHMED HALIM, SAM RUMPH, JACK SADDEMI, AUSTIN PATERWICH, KEVIN KALNAS, REED GLOSSER, LOGAN GLOSSER, CORY STEIN, DOUG STOCKSTON, AND SAM BROCHIN. 4 Class of 1963

he class had a wonderful event meeting at the Dorr Street Cafe this summer, attending a Mud Hens game TFriday, sharing dinner and boat rides at Tom and Brenda Seiple’s home Saturday at The Quarry in Maumee, and brunching at Gretta (Fleck) Laskey’s home in Ottawa Hills Sunday. Around 24 alumni attended the full and busy four-day event with friends and classmates. The Class of 1963 was the first to use the new kindergarten room at the elementary school and also the first to graduate in the new auditorium at the high school.

TAKING IN THE MUD HENS: MARILYN (MENSING) JENSEN, MARIANNE (FLECK) SUNDAY BRUNCH ATTENDEES: TOM ROEMER, JOHN NEUHAUS, JIM GEHRING, GRETTA (FLECK) LASKEY, JEFF GEHRING, BRUCE TRUMM, BOB ASHLEY, CRAIG PENNER, MARILYN (MENSING) JENSEN, BOB REICHERT, REICHERT, AND EMILY HUNTINGTON. PAM (PETERS) LEDUC, GRETTA (FLECK) LASKEY, MARIANNE (FLECK) GEHRING, AND EMILY HUNTINGTON. Class of 1977

embers of the class gathered at the Ottawa Hills’ home of Lori M. Dixon Min August for a backyard party and to celebrate their 40th reunion.

Class of 1988 They gathered Saturday at the home of Rod and Lauri Cooper, who hosted a dinner party catered by Shorty’s. Tracy Tunis said: “It was amazing getting back together bout 36 members with so many wonderful classmates. I enjoyed hearing Aof the Class of about everyone’s adventures and successes over the 1988 returned to last 30 years. People came from all over the country: Ottawa Hills High California, Seattle, New York, and Florida. The connections School for their we created 30 years ago remain strong today.” 30th reunion. They started the weekend by attending the Homecoming football game and visiting with their SHOWING SCHOOL SPIRIT ARE KATIE former coach, Chris (WALSH) LLOYD AND PETE R. CASEY Hardman. They shopped in the Bear Cave and toured the school Saturday. Many went to Tony Packo’s and The Beirut for a late afternoon lunch.

5 campusnews

Dedication schedule: 12-1 p.m. Dedication ceremony, KING OF THE COURT public welcome. Dedication honors John Lindsay 1-3 p.m. Ottawa Hills Alumni Basketball Game. If you would like to play in the alumni basketball game, please RSVP to Erica Silk at [email protected].

7:30 p.m. Ottawa Hills vs. Liberty- Benton varsity basketball game.

After the game: The celebration of Coach Lindsay continues after the varsity game at Shorty’s Back Forty, 5215 Monroe St., Toledo.

NEWS BRIEFS SUPERINTENDENT DR. KEVIN S. MILLER WAS HONORED IN DECEMBER WITH THE “SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD” from the Buckeye Association of School Administrators. More than 700 he Ottawa Hills Board of Education has honored two decades of individuals across the state are eligible Tsuccess by teacher, coach, and mentor John Lindsay by naming annually for the award. “I am honored to the district’s main court in his honor. receive this award, especially since it is voted upon by my peers,” said Dr. Miller, The dedication ceremony of the “John Lindsay Court” is who became the district’s superintendent Saturday, February 9. The court is used for both curricular and in June 2010. “The recognition is truly extracurricular activities throughout the day and evening. shared by everyone who contributes every day to making Ottawa Hills the top school district in .” Mr. Lindsay was a volunteer assistant varsity coach with the district in 1993-94. He joined the district in the fall of 1994 as a high school business OTTAWA HILLS LOCAL SCHOOLS teacher and coach of the junior varsity team. In 1995, he became coach of RECEIVED THE “OVERALL A AWARD” the varsity team. Since then, his teams have won nearly a dozen Toledo FROM THE STATE BOARD OF Area Athletic Conference titles, plus many additional sectional, district, EDUCATION. The award recognizes and regional championships. His 2010 team made it to the state semifinals. districts that are “demonstrating high academic performance and building Many former players and coaches are expected to participate in the bright futures for students of every dedication, including Pete Kadens (’96), who was basketball team captain background and ability level.” Ottawa in his senior year. “Next to my parents, there isn’t a single person who Hills was the only Lucas County district has been more critical to my development as a human being than Coach and one of only two in the state to earn Lindsay,” Mr. Kadens said. A’s in all categories of the state’s 2018 Local Report Card. In addition, Ottawa The board’s action honored a request by Pete and Amy Kadens (’99), who Hills Junior/Senior High School received recently made a generous donation to the Ottawa Hills Schools Foundation. a building “Overall A Award,” which are The Kadens requested the court be named as a tribute to Mr. Lindsay for similar to those issued for districts but the impact he had on Mr. Kadens’ life. recognize exemplary achievement at one facility. 6 Backyard scientists FOUNDATION GRANT SUPPORTS FIFTH GRADERS

acking scientific instruments, bamboo The students planted 50 each of four species native to Pcutters, and seine nets, nearly 80 Ottawa Ohio, including the Blue Lobelia, which can filter nitrates Hills fifth graders recently traveled the banks and phosphates from entering waterways. OH juniors Hannah Shariff and Claire Denk have been studying the and explored the depths of the Ottawa River. plant for more than three years, beginning with their Their destination was a hard-to-reach section behind eighth-grade “Citizen Science Project.” Epworth Church on Central Avenue. They conducted Local staff with The Nature Conservancy, a national experiments to better understand food webs, symbiotic nonprofit organization, helped to plan the day’s schedule relationships in nature, and human impacts on ecosystems. and were present to help students, parents, and teachers. Making their excursion possible was a $1,500 grant from (Thank you, Nature Conservancy!) the Ottawa Hills Schools Foundation. Once at the site, students used kits to conduct water- “I feel I learn better when I’m interacting,” said quality testing and studied parameters such as temperature, Ella McQueen. Added fellow explorer Quinton turbity (how much material is suspended in the water), and dissolved oxygen and pH levels. Students also Smith: “It was more fun than you would think!” collected samples from stream bottoms to look for macroinvertebrates (organisms that do not have a From this class exercise, about 25 students were chosen backbone but yet can be seen with the naked eye). The to present their scientific findings at the Student Watershed results of both tests produced indicators of the water’s Summit in November, which brought together students overall health. from districts in the region. As they studied the data, they drew preliminary conclusions Teacher Lianne Genzman, who applied about water quality and ecosystem health. “Because of this for the Foundation grant, coordinates the project, I actually think more of what pollution will do and district’s fifth-grade science curriculum. its impacts – and why it’s bad,” Quinton added. Life sciences is a required subject in Ohio and interactions with the ecosystem In addition to the data collection and planting, students is a topic within the life sciences. So it collected garbage and removed bamboo and other non- LIANNE GENZMAN was natural for Mrs. Genzman to look native plant species. “It was fun making tunnels as we cut to the Ottawa River when seeking ways to bring that topic down the bamboo,” said Emma Friedman. to life. “What better way to do that then to use their own Among the 20 parent volunteers that afternoon were backyard,” said Mrs. Genzman. “The objective of the lesson two adult “scientists” from the : was to show students how you make a positive impact on professors Randall Ellingson (physics and astronomy) the area around you.” and Christine Mayer (environmental sciences), both of With the grant, she purchased 200 native plants; test tubes, whom have children in the fifth grade. testing kits, and scientific equipment; and the seine nets, Back in the classroom, students created a document to which were used to collect crayfish, snails, and native and catalog their findings, list of plantings, and biotic and non-native clams. As they did, students had a close-up abiotic data collected. The document will be shared with look at other creatures calling the river home, which their future fifth-graders and other OH classes working on the classroom videos and worksheets were not able to provide. Ottawa River – including members of the high school “I learned a lot about the many parts of the food web,” said Eclipse Club who have spent three years researching the Quinton, easily remembering the three types of symbiotic Blue Lobelia. relationships: mutualism, commensalism, parasitism. 7 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

TOLEDO, OH PERMIT #311 3600 Indian Road Ottawa Hills, OH 43606

Like Us On Facebook Ottawa Hills Local Schools Alumni Association

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes Ottawa UPCOMING EVENTS Hills Local Schools’ attendees who have made a meaningful Beauty and the Beast contribution to society, and whose The classic story of Belle, a young woman accomplishments, affiliations, and Feb. 8-10: careers have honored the tradition in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young of excellence at Ottawa Hills. Nominees will have: prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. The Broadway show ran 13 years and received nine Tony • Made significant accomplishments while maintaining Awards, including Best Musical. Tickets are on sale now. high standards in personal integrity and character; (Rated G) • Exhibited outstanding leadership in his or her field; • Been of service to his or her community and Legacy Luncheon humanity through local, state, national, or international organizations; and/or April 12: All Village of Ottawa Hills residents and alumni are invited to attend the Legacy Luncheon to • Demonstrated exemplary accomplishments celebrate the community’s support of our students in the following areas: arts, education, government, and school. The free event gives students and staff the science, business, or public service. opportunity to honor Village residents for establishing If you would like to nominate yourself or an individual, and supporting a legacy of excellence in our district. complete the application at: ohschoolsfoundation.org/ RSVP to Karen Mayfield at [email protected] or distinguishedalumni.php. by calling 419-536-6371. The luncheon is sponsored by a variety of OH organizations. Recipients will be recognized Friday, September 20, 2019, at a dinner reception and during the half-time ceremonies of the home football game that evening. Nominations may be emailed to Erica Silk at [email protected] or mailed to Ottawa Hills Schools Foundation, 3600 Indian Road, Ottawa Hills, OH 43606. Applications deadline: Feb. 15, 2019.